New SRO finding his footing

The new school year has brought a new School Resource Officer to campus. Wingspan recently sat down with the newest SRO, Officer Glen Hubbard.

Wingspan: What did you do before you became an SRO?

Hubbard: “I was a detective before, for nine years, and then a regular officer before that for six. So I’ve been a cop for nineteen years.”

Wingspan: What made you decide you wanted to become an SRO?

Hubbard: “Well, after doing the detective thing for nine years, I think I needed a change. I got a little burned out. I wanted a more positive environment and a change basically. Other SRO’s I’ve talked to liked it a lot so I thought I’d give it a shot.”

Wingspan: How do you feel about working here?

Hubbard: “I like it, I like it a lot. It’s really nice. I enjoy coming into work, everybody’s really great and I just look forward to helping everybody out and doing what I can. I’m still trying to figure out what I’m supposed to be doing.”

Wingspan: What are some challenges that you think you might have to face?

Hubbard: “Basically, my biggest challenge is remembering everyone’s name. I’ve been introduced to a hundred people and I can’t remember their names. I see the in the hall and say ‘Hey…I’m sorry.’ Just getting a routine down so I feel comfortable basically.”

Wingspan: What does a normal school day look like for you, what kind of tasks do you complete during the day?

Hubbard: “Usually when I get here I check the parking lots, you know just making sure everyone’s getting in and there’s no problems with carpool as far as the line for drop off and traffic out front. I check general safety out there and then I’ll stand around and walk around and make sure everything’s running smoothly and nobody’s having any tiffs. I make sure that nobody is trying to get into the school who’s not supposed to be here and just making all the frowns when they get off the bus turn into smiles. They come off looking like they’re going to prison and I’m like ‘Smile it’s not that bad!’”

Wingspan: What did you do during the process of becoming an SRO?

Hubbard: “We had an interview process. We had to submit a letter, a memo, of what we’ve done in the police department, what we’ve done to prepare for it, what we think our strengths and weaknesses are and what we could bring to the unit. We then submit that and then they go through your background and your packet and make sure you don’t have any complaints or crazy stuff or gotten in trouble much. Then, we had to have a board interview which was with the chief, several sergeants and a lieutenant. There were like six people in there and they just fired questions at you regarding juvenile law and how we handle school stuff and I got selected, so it turned out good for me.”

Wingspan: What is it that you’re looking forward to the most and what is it you’re the most worried about?

Hubbard: “I’m looking forward to just being involved in a real positive environment. Hopefully I can help some folks out. I know kids have a lot of questions about driving and stuff because you guys are growing up, starting adult life and things like that. I just hope I can help out there in a different way than just enforcing stuff. As far as my concerns, I just hope nothing bad ever happens. If it does, hopefully I’m prepared for it.”